Dr Rachael Rodney leads the Innovation Training Initiative at AFII, where she connects the university’s expertise with industry through programs that build capacity and capability across the agrifood sector. Her work focuses on enriching education for students, upskilling staff and partners, and addressing critical workforce gaps through collaboration and training.

As an academic within the Fenner School of Environment and Society, Rachael convenes ANU’s agriculture program, a distinctive, decentralised model that draws on expertise from across the university. This innovative approach brings students from diverse disciplines into agriculture and equips them with the cross-cutting skills the industry needs for the future.

Rachael’s research sits at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health, using a One Health lens to address complex challenges in agricultural systems. Her work has spanned areas from ruminant nutrition to climate-smart farming practices and the adoption of low-emission technologies. She is passionate about fostering collaboration between researchers and farmers, helping translate scientific innovation into practical outcomes that improve productivity, sustainability, and resilience.

Originally from Camden, New South Wales, Rachael studied Animal and Veterinary Bioscience at the University of Sydney, completing her honours in animal reproduction before working in agricultural policy with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. She later returned to research, earning her PhD in cattle physiology with projects across Australia and the United States, before joining ANU.

Rachael believes agriculture lies at the heart of many of society’s greatest challenges including food security, climate change, and resource management and that solving them requires collaboration across disciplines. Through AFII, she is building pathways for students, researchers, and industry to work together on meaningful, real-world problems and to inspire the next generation of agricultural innovators.